Dental health is about more than visiting the dentist and brushing your teeth regularly. The foods you eat have a big impact, providing your teeth with the nutrients needed to stay strong against plaque, tartar buildup, and tooth decay. With a diet rich in these five foods, you can keep your teeth strong:
Milk
Milk contains calcium, so drink plenty of it to keep your jaw bone strong. Calcium also helps to protect your mouth against gum disease. Women should be especially mindful of getting enough calcium in their diet, and nothing refreshes quite like a cold glass of skim milk. A single glass of milk contains over 300mg of calcium, which is about a third of your daily requirement. If you are dairy-free or lactose intolerant, you can always drink calcium-fortified soy or almond milk.
Salmon
Salmon is a great source of vitamin D. Vitamin D is a very important companion to calcium, at it helps your body absorb and make use of the dental-friendly nutrient. Vitamin D helps maximize the benefits of calcium in your system. Adults need about 600 IU of vitamin D every day, and a portion of salmon can fulfill this requirement.
Oranges
Citrus fruits like oranges are high in vitamin C. Vitamin C has many important uses when it comes to dental health. For one, it helps to strengthen blood vessels and the connective tissue that roots your teeth to your jaw. Vitamin C also helps to reduce inflammation and slow the progress of gingivitis. However, be aware that the juice of citrus fruits like grapefruit and lemon are highly acidic and can cause enamel erosion, so consume these in moderation.
Strawberries
Strawberries are also full of vitamin C. In addition to the benefits mentioned above, vitamin C is involved in collagen production. Collagen is a protein that keeps your gums strong and healthy, which is very important for overall dental health. A cup of sliced strawberries provides enough vitamin C to meet your daily requirements.
Water
Water is essential for your overall health. It contributes to saliva production and washes away food particles, so they don’t have a chance to cling to your teeth. Saliva is made almost entirely out of water, and defends your mouth against tooth decay by counteracting acids that eat away at tooth enamel.
In between dental visits, it’s important to do your part to keep your teeth and gums healthy. These five foods can do wonders for your overall dental health, so eat and drink up!
